Beyond OPT: Strategies for a Successful Job Search & Options for Longer Term Visas in the U.S....
30
Beyond OPT: Strategies for a Successful Job Search & Options for Longer Term Visas in the U.S. Denise Medeiros, International Student and Scholar Office Jim Novak, University Career Center Steve Garfinkel, JenniferCory: Garfinkel Immigration Law Firm
Beyond OPT: Strategies for a Successful Job Search & Options for Longer Term Visas in the U.S. Denise Medeiros, International Student and Scholar Office
Beyond OPT: Strategies for a Successful Job Search &
Options for Longer Term Visas in the U.S. Denise Medeiros,
International Student and Scholar Office Jim Novak, University
Career Center Steve Garfinkel, JenniferCory: Garfinkel Immigration
Law Firm Beyond OPT: Strategies for a Successful Job Search &
Options for Longer Term Visas in the U.S. Denise Medeiros,
International Student and Scholar Office Jim Novak, University
Career Center Steve Garfinkel, JenniferCory: Garfinkel Immigration
Law Firm
Slide 2
Todays Agenda The challenges as an international student in the
US job market Tools for a successful search in the US job market
Orientation to the University Career Center and all resources to
assist you in your job search Longer term visa options that may be
available to you
Slide 3
Potential Challenges OPT limited to 12 months (with possible
17-month extension for STEM fields), employer may see limited
benefits to the company Competing with other US workers English
language skills must have! Degree and qualifications are not enough
to get hired
Slide 4
Interviewing American Style You must sell or promote yourself
may feel uncomfortable coming from group orientation You will need
to defend your opinion to gain respect demonstrate confidence You
will need to speak clearly and articulate your ideas Learn the many
ways to find a job (not just online!) What will motivate the buyer
(employer) is the ability to solve business issues
Slide 5
Tips what you can offer! International Perspective Language
Skills Multi-Cultural Insight and Diversity Desire Go the extra
mile Know Yourself: What do you have to offer an employer, that
distinguishes you from any U.S. Citizen with a similar degree?
Slide 6
Tools for a Successful Search in the US Job Market Know the Job
Search Process! Identify career options Register with appropriate
offices Develop resume Learn to write cover letters Brush up on
interviewing (Practice, practice, practice) Know where to look
Record keeping Follow-up
Slide 7
Tools for a Successful Search in the US Job Market Job Search
Strategies Register with the University Career Center
(career.uncc.edu) Hire-A-Niner On-Campus Interviewing Trade
Magazines and Professional Journals Career Fairs Networking
Friends, Family, Acquaintances Professional Associations Student
Organizations Alumni
Slide 8
Hire-A-Niner Login with your University NinerNet credentials at
career.uncc.edu/hire-a-niner career.uncc.edu/hire-a-niner Easy
access to jobs, internships, and co-ops Built-in resume creator
Employer directory Ability to report that you've been hired
Streamlined processes for the 49ership and co-op programs
Slide 9
Hire-A-Niner F-1 Students must declare proper U.S. Work
Authorization The choices in Hire-A-Niner are Eligible to work
WITHOUT visa sponsorship: This can only be claimed by U.S. Citizens
or Permanent Residents Eligible to work WITH visa sponsorship now
or in the near future: All F-1 Visa students must click this
designation for all employment internships, Co-op, full-time
permanent
Slide 10
Do you know the US Labor Market for International Students?
What percentage of employers plan to hire international students
from the Class of 2015? 34% Industries indicting plans to hire the
highest percentage of International Students from Class of 2015?
Computer and electronics manufacturing68.8% Wholesale trade62.5%
Information52.9% Accounting50%
Slide 11
Do you know the US Labor Market for International Students? By
geographic region, which of four regions in the U.S. exhibit
increase demand for International Students compared to 2013-2014?
West and Northeast International Student Hiring Continues to Climb
- Learn more at: http://www.naceweb.org/s02042015/hiring-
international-students-job-
outlook.aspx?terms=International%20students#sthas h.LmdrTGBL.dpuf
http://www.naceweb.org/s02042015/hiring-
international-students-job-
outlook.aspx?terms=International%20students#sthas
h.LmdrTGBL.dpuf
Slide 12
Employer Thoughts: International Student Full-Time Positions In
a 2013 national survey of 2000 employers, what percentage indicated
they were not permitted to hire International Students? 15%
indicated that their organizations were not permitted to recruit
and hire international undergraduates or graduate students for full
time positions. What percentage indicated they were not interested
in International Students for full-time positions at this time? 60%
at both degree levels indicated that they were not interested in
international students for full-time positions at this time. 20%
were optimistic -they were modestly serious to very serious about
pursuing either international students with bachelors degrees or
advanced degrees for full Factors: Economic Sector, Organization
Size, Recruiting Region, Academic Majors THINK SMALL64% in small
companies less than 500 employees interested in you! Learn more at
http://www.ceri.msu.edu/wp-
content/uploads/2010/01/internationalseriousPart-I.pdfhttp://www.ceri.msu.edu/wp-
content/uploads/2010/01/internationalseriousPart-I.pdf
Slide 13
Employer Thoughts: International Student Internship Positions
In a 2013 national survey of 1900 employers, what percentage
indicated they do not provide internships for International
Students? 35% indicated they do not provide international students
with internships. What percentage indicated they might provide, at
some future date, an internship experience to an International
Student but were not considering doing so now or in the near
future? 32% indicated they might provide, at some future date, an
internship experience to an International Student but were not
considering doing so now or in the near future? What percentage
indicated they occasionally provide international students with
internships, and will continue to do so? 22% indicated that
occasionally provide international students with internships and
will continue to do so. Learn more at http://www.ceri.msu.edu/wp-
content/uploads/2010/01/internationalseriousPart-I.pdfhttp://www.ceri.msu.edu/wp-
content/uploads/2010/01/internationalseriousPart-I.pdf
Slide 14
Employer Thoughts: International Student Internship Positions
In a 2013 national survey of 1900 employers, what percentage
indicated they regularly provide internships for International
Students? 11% indicated they regularly provide international
students with internships. Economic Sector, Organization Size,
Recruiting Region, Academic Majors THINK SMALL: Among those
companies that occasionally to regularly provide internships, 58%
were small organizations with 500 employees or less. Major
Challenges: Language, Cultural Awareness, Return On Investment,
Moral Issue Learn more at http://www.ceri.msu.edu/wp-
content/uploads/2010/01/internationalseriousPart-I.pdfhttp://www.ceri.msu.edu/wp-
content/uploads/2010/01/internationalseriousPart-I.pdf
Slide 15
80% Rule 80% of jobs are not posted on job sites or even on the
company website Over 75% of those employed in the US work for
companies with less than 250 employees Get to know those who are
doing what you want to be doing and get referrals from inside
industry Applying for jobs online is easyare things that are easy
usually worth it?
Slide 16
Networking Know How to Network! Personal Relationships are what
makes the job search process come together. Conduct Informational
Interviews. Look for Expatriates - Tap into Cultural Affinity. Tap
into U.S. companies with interests in your native land. Tap into
home companies with interests in the U.S.
Slide 17
Networking LinkedIn, social media groups Professional
Organizations Objectives gather info, showcase your talents,
knowledge, create path for further communication, ask to be
referred to others in the field. Listen, people like to talk about
themselves. Dont act, be you. Do what you say you will do. Give
back. Be positive. Smile. First impressions matter!
Slide 18
Human Resources Purpose of HR is to weed out and slim down
recruiting process and otherwise mitigate company risk HR staff
make earlier decisions while hiring managers make final decisions
HR is looking out for needs of the company, not you It costs
companies to post jobs online
Slide 19
Behavioral Interviewing Interviewee is asked to provide
examples from previous experiences of their transferable skills
Interview questions may begin with Tell me about a time when Based
on concept that past behavior predicts future behavior
Slide 20
Answering Behavioral Questions S-T-A-R EXAMPLE: Tell me about a
situation in which you had to meet a deadline. SITUATION: While
working as an intern at XYZ Agency TASK: I had four weeks to
organize their annual fundraiser which generates 40% of their
annual funding. ACTION: I delegated tasks to the other interns for
four categories Marketing, Sponsorship, Logistics, and
Refreshments. RESULTS: The event brought in over $50,000 and we had
a 200% increase in sponsorship. I was able to meet all deadlines in
coordinating the event through organization and delegation.
Slide 21
How To Work a Career Fair What do I Need to do to PREPARE? Know
your career goals Research the employers and the positions for
which they are recruiting Have your resume critiqued and bring
enough copies for each employer of interest Purchase or borrow a
business suit Prepare for possible interview (screening interview
or full)
Slide 22
What Should I Expect on the Day of the Fair? Arrive early to
the job fair location Check-in with your student ID card Pick up a
list of employers and booth #s Name tag Reflection Area
Slide 23
What do I say when talking to an employer? Prepare a 20 second
introduction of yourself Name Major Grad Date What type of position
you are seeking Something you know about their organization Offer
your resume Ask questions Asking questions shows an interested and
engaged candidate Do not ask questions about salary, benefits, or
anything that is readily available online Ask if they have a
business card, company literature, position information Express
your interest and thank them for their time smile!
Slide 24
How to Make a Good First Impression Firm handshake Eye contact
Smile and enthusiasm Knowledge of the organization Groomed
appearance Positive attitude Focusing on what you want to
contribute to their organization Confidence Have a professional
looking folder or portfolio to carry resumes (no backpacks)
Slide 25
After the Fair Evaluate yourself and the employers Organize
your contacts/business cards and take notes on what was discussed
Send a follow-up thank you letter (hard copy) to the recruiter you
spoke with Prepare for possible interviews
Slide 26
Job Fair Donts (from employer feedback) Do not travel in friend
packs or with a significant other Do not dress casually Do not ask
an employer What does your company do? or What can your company do
for me? Do not circulate to pick up employer give-a-ways Do not
leave a resume on the employers table without speaking to
him/her
Slide 27
Optional Practical Training/ Academic Training OPT for F1
students: 12 months work authorization in field of study at level
of study Mandatory information session held twice/month by ISSO
followed by student application to DHS Additional 17-month STEM
extension possible for those with STEM degree and employer
participating in E-Verify. Cap gap = period of time between end of
OPT and start of H1- B (Oct. 1). Employment authorized D/S.
Academic Training for J1 students: 18 months work authorization in
field of study, approved by sponsor. Additional 18 months for
post-doctoral positions.
Slide 28
University Career Center Resources career.uncc.edu/going-global
Career Spots Hoovers On-Line (Atkins Library) Reference USA (in
Hire-A-Niner) uscis.gov myvisajobs.com
Slide 29
Additional on-line resources American Chambers of Commerce
Abroad (www.uschamber.com/international/directory) Directory of
American companies and individuals doing business in a particular
country, as well as firms and individuals of that country that
operate in the United
States.www.uschamber.com/international/directory H-1B Visa Jobs and
Sponsorship Portal (www.H1Bvisajobs.com)Advice about applying for
H-1B and list of H-1B sponsors. www.H1Bvisajobs.com
Slide 30
James A. Novak, M. Ed Associate Director, Employer Connections
Programs UNC Charlotte 150 Atkins Building Phone: 704-687-0795 |
Fax: 704-687-5298 [email protected]|[email protected]|
career.uncc.educareer.uncc.edu